The organisation is campaigning to tackle work-related stress and its impact, which reflects the pressures employees face to meet the demands of modern working life. These include the fast pace of work shaped by instant communications, longer working hours and increasing competition in both domestic and international markets. The British Safety Council’ s biggest current concern is the burden of work-related ill health conditions, particularly relating to mental health. That’ s why this year it will unveil a number of initiatives that are focused on mental health. They will

include the British Safety Council’ s Annual Conference, in London on 5th October, and the launch of new qualifications that will help managers and employees become aware of mental health issues in their companies. In 2014 / 2015, accidents at work claimed 142 lives and caused 78,000 injuries in Britain *. Mike Robinson, chief executive of the British Safety Council said:“ These facts and figures reflect the importance of proactive and effective management of health and safety and its risks.“ Over the last 40 years, since the enactment of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, we have witnessed immense improvements

in making workplaces safer, preventing injuries and reducing incidences of work-related ill health. This record is a result of the combined efforts of the organisations driving the health and safety agenda, as well as many of the British Safety Council’ s members, who have demonstrated unwavering commitment to the health and safety of their employees.” He continued:“ The cost of work-related ill health to the country has remained fairly static over the past five years. In 2014, injuries and the ill health of employees resulting from work cost society £ 14.3bn annually, of which £ 9.4bn was from illness and £ 4.9bn from injury

( source: HSE). However, the number of working days lost due to ill health has increased, mostly as a result of work-related stress.” On 28th April, union members and campaigners celebrated International Workers’ Memorial Day to commemorate those killed, maimed, injured and made ill by work. They renewed a pledge to fight for the living, by raising safety concerns in the workplace and public awareness of the importance of health and safety. This year’ s theme is strong laws, strong enforcement and strong unions. * Sources: HSE and RID- DOR

www. britsafe. org